On Wednesday, we reported that Tampa Bay players held a players-only meeting last week to discuss, among other things, concerns about the voting process that ended quarterback Josh Freeman three-year run as a team captain.

It’s hard not to wonder whether the Buccaneers, who declined comment when contacted by PFT regarding the players-only meeting and the concern that the votes were counted incorrectly, leaked the week-old Freeman photo story to provide a piece of tangible proof as to why players chose not to vote for Freeman.

Kaufman separately has tweeted that “Josh Freeman’s tenure with the Bucs appears to be reaching critical mass,” and that Freeman needs a “big game” against the Saints to “stop the bleeding.”

For their part, the Bucs have done a great job of stopping the bleeding regarding last week’s players-only meeting. Kaufman’s article completely ignores it, opting instead to frame our report as something far different than it was.

“That story is 100 percent inaccurate,’’ coach Greg Schiano told Kaufman in response to a story that we never published. We never said that the vote was rigged; we reported only that the players held a meeting and the captain vote was one of the topics raised.

But we can’t blame Kaufman for distorting our report. With power-drunk college coaches like Steve Spurrier and Nick Saban taking advantage of their local stranglehold on the press, the Tampa Tribune needs to play nice with the Bucs or the Tampa Bay Times will get all the access from the former college coach who now runs the show at One Buc Place.

What a disaster. I hope everyone realizes that there are more people involved in this team than just Freeman and Schiano. The GM Mark Dominick & the owners need to be taking some of the blame for this mess. Also, there are 32 coaches on this team, more than any other team in the NFL. So, Schiano may be a “college coach” but he has plenty of guys with experience on staff.

Just because you are the QB, that doesn’t automatically make you Captain status. Seriously, the Jaguars gave their C to Blaine Gabbert. I’m sure their are more deserving players on the Jags and Bucs who deserve the C. Good for the Bucs players on standing up.

What a surprise, Josh Freeman hates the desciplinarian coach that replaced his buddy, the “players coach” Rah. Radio host Steve Duemig said Freeman texted him complaining about how his day off was so short. How about earning a day off Josh?

The Jets must be happy since they get our 1rd pick next year…Freeman is a really good Qbwith a rocket arm…looks like another qb will leave the bucs and win……see: Steve Young, Doug Williams, Trent Dilfer,

Who knows what he’s like as a person and a leader, but man, Josh certainly deserves better treatment than this. I hope they do release him so he can land with a QB-needy team that will adapt to his strengths (Jacksonville, Tennessee, Minnesota).

Fire Schiano right now and hire Lovie Smith while there’s still time to save the season. Lovie could cure the Bucs problems on defense and lets face it, Schiano is not a pro-level coach. The Bucs will never win under Schiano.

I’m surprised at how so many comments are focusing on the coaching and the front office. It’s simple–the problem is and has been Josh Freeman. The talent is there especially offensively. He’s just not a good NFL QB and he never has been.

Captain status on a pro team is stupid. How come other companies don’t have this? “Well, I was going to screw off today, but my Office Captain in the other cubicle gave a great speech to motivate me!” You’re professionals. Just do your damn job!

Some people might think I’m crazy here, but you know who seriously might save our season? Tebow. Great O-Line, Great RB, Talented WR’s who aren’t divas, what I think is turning into at least a good defense. Located in Florida….No one would want to play us. I’m telling you, we’re built for Tebow, and I couldn’t stand it that he won in Denver.

Bucs problems on defense? If the Bucs defense didnt set up the offense at the Jets 5 and 43 for their TD drives the Bucs would have gotten shut out. Freeman is a loser and just misses his boy Raheem. And if your QB is “boys” with the coach there’s a huge problem.

Seriously, Freeman’s last 4 games he has 3 TDs, and 13 turnovers, with elite offensive weapons. You people acting like he’s gonna light it up with worse talent are insane. He’s not Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers, you can’t just put anyone out there and expect results.

Sounds like there are a lot of problems. However, not showing up for the team picture doesn’t sound like the behavior of a leader. At the very least you go through the motions and take up your greviences in another way.

I’m sure there are and have been many QB’s who do not like the head coach. But I don’t see how that should affect how well you play on the field. On most teams the QB’s spend most of their time with the offensive coordinators and their position coaches in meetings and during practices. His play on the field has been inconsistent at best and with his pouting childish behavior off of the field I don’t see why anyone would jump at bringing him in as a starter. If Schiano and Freeman aren’t getting along, I’m sure it’s not all Schiano’s fault. Obviously Freeman doesn’t have the backing of the locker room either. That should tell you something as well.

I’m actually enjoying this but for purely selfish reasons. As a Titans fan, I have no faith in Locker anymore. Hopefully, we can pick up Freeman in the offseason as a free agent and immediately upgrade our QB situation.

The Bucs can trade Freeman to the Vikings! I’ll gladly give up Ponder in return. The Vikings have new weapons at receiver that Ponder doesn’t use. Plus, we have a coach that doesn’t say a word and just stands there with his arms folded win or lose. And if it doesn’t work, he’ll still give you 3+ years to figure it out.

When Kurt Warner was with the Cards, you would find him analyzing video and drawing up new plays on his day off. On their days off, it is reported that Peyton Manning and Eli Manning as well as Drew Brees are often found Tom Brady working on their offensive game plan for the next opponent.

Now we hear that Freeman is complaining that his day off is too short for his personal fun time. Is it any wonder why he is in the bottom of NFL QBs?

When are these mini Hitler like college coaches are going to realize their s… dont fly in NFL. Yes, guys like Spurrier, Saban, Petrino, Schiano can scare the s.. out of and put the fear of god into some 18 years old kid 2000 miles away from home, but that does not fly in NFL. Either embrace NFL like Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll or just pack your bags and go back to CFB.

Having a guy like Raheem Morris (possibly the WORST head coach in NFL history) as the head coach of your first NFL team, as was the case with Freeman, probably doesn’t contribute much to your progression from being a 1st round draft pick to becoming a capable Pro QB.

Schiano took the team from four wins to seven wins in his first year. Took the team from 29th in penalties per game in 2011 to 14th in 2012. The offense set franchise records last year. Vincent Jackson had the best year of his career and Doug Martin made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. The defense looked light’s out with the exception of the preventable penalties. All this hoopla over ONE fluke loss is hilarious.

Freeman lacks fire. He lacks leadership. His teammates see this and elected someone else as team captain. Big deal. Apparently Greg Schiano counted the votes – and his his veracity is in question. Stupid micromanaging mistake on his part. He has enough assistants to give the menial task like that to someone else. This team is under-performing because Josh Freeman is doesn’t have enough skills to read defenses and take advantage of what defenses are giving him. He has a decent RB (Martin), WRs (Vince Jackson and Mike Williams), and adequate OL (Joseph, Penn, returning Carl Nicks). He has a decent offensive tools, but can’t move the team on a consistent basis – it might be time for the Bucs to move on and find another franchise Qb.

A big game would be nice, or he could ask for a trade. Maybe Freeman wants the pressure to be on the Bucs mngmt staff in lieu of his own and it doesn’t seem like he’s happy. I’m sure everything will work out, the GM surely has a plan in mind. They are on track to win the Super Bowl in their minds and they are going to prove everybody wrong about their decision to add Revis. Just you guys wait! But don’t hold your breath.

Drugs and alcohol will ruin your life. Ask anyone from Baltimore, and I mean anyone. I think it is sad that this young man doesn’t have the support of his coach or this franchise. He definitely needs help.

“Thing is, Freeman played for Bill Snyder in college and Snyder is pretty darn strict, though he manages to still have players love him. Schiano obviously hasn’t figured that part out.”
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Incorrect. Ron Prince got Freeman to decommit from Nebraska and come to K-State in the spring of 2006. Ron Prince and Freeman were both at KSU from 06-08, after the 2008 Season Freeman went pro. I and a lot of other people think spending a year with Snyder would have done Freeman some good, both in his QB skills and being mentally tough.

Don’t blame the coach because he is a disciplinarian. Of course players are not going to like what and how to do something but if they lack discipline they won’t be good enough to win consistently. Just as it’s on the coaches to try to get the players to “buy in”, it is on the players to actually do so. If they don’t, it is simply a lack of commitment to the team.

If Freeman is missing team functions and stuff like that, the coaches and especially the players themselves have a right and an obligation to question his loyalty and commitment to the team and his ability to lead them on the field. If he doesn’t or won’t understand that then bench him until he does. If that leads to more (early) Vince Young type instability then cut him altogether and move on.

It looks to me like not giving him a fat contract with guaranteed money was the correct call.

Schiano’s Career Record: 11 Years, 68-67, .504 Pct. at Rutgers. He talked a good game but left because he knew he couldn’t get it done here in New Jersey. Tampa Bay bought a bill of goods and they will be sorry.

tom12brady says:
Sep 12, 2013 11:59 AM
When are these mini Hitler like college coaches are going to realize their s… dont fly in NFL. Yes, guys like Spurrier, Saban, Petrino, Schiano can scare the s.. out of and put the fear of god into some 18 years old kid 2000 miles away from home, but that does not fly in NFL. Either embrace NFL like Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll or just pack your bags and go back to CFB.
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Spoken like someone who either doesn’t like/understand the concepts of discipline and/or team-oriented behavior, or you have just acknowledged that NFL players are incapable of compliance with certain inconveniences for the greater good of the team.

Man if you guys are gonna comment on the Bucs atleast KNOW your sh!t… The Bucs gave up their 1st in this most recent draft and give up a 3rd in next years draft if they keep Revis.. It seriously doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if you are a mediocre college coach you can’t expect to be better in the PRO’s. Schiano is the problem when it comes to QB’s.. name ONE good QB he had in college…and he shouldn’t even be our coach and wasn’t our first choice…hell he wasn’t even our 3rd choice.. If we offered Chip more money he would have left. Schiano doesn’t make it to next season if Mark is smart

Vikings ? Please, that would be a foolish move the Vikings would do! Seriously, this team needs a franchise QB, not another scrub! They will make a play for Rivers next year, yet again , bringing in an aging washed up QB like always… Favre, George , McMahon, Cunningham(which I loved) moon, need I say more

donth8thehorns says:
Sep 12, 2013 5:40 PM
Vikings ? Please, that would be a foolish move the Vikings would do! Seriously, this team needs a franchise QB, not another scrub! They will make a play for Rivers next year, yet again , bringing in an aging washed up QB like always… Favre, George , McMahon, Cunningham(which I loved) moon, need I say more
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I don’t see Freeman in Minnesota either. They will probably pick up Sanchez fairly cheaply though. He would actually be a good fit there behind a strong running game and a decent defense. I see Freeman heading to Jax or maybe as a back-up in Chicago or Green Bay